Eutelsat has ordered from Thales Alenia Space a new-generation High Throughput Satellite offering unprecedented operational flexibility. To be launched in 2019, the all-electric satellite will be the first to use Thales Alenia Space's new Spacebus Neo platform.

This high-capacity broadband satellite will deliver significant resources for broadband services across Africa and set a new benchmark for flexibility in High Throughput Satellites.

Providing 75 Gbps of capacity across a network of 65 spotbeams, which together provide quasi-complete coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa, the satellite will address direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services using dishes from approximately 75 cm. It will also be used for community networks connected to Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile phone backhauling and rural connectivity.